EU TAKES SHORT TERM APPROACH TO MILK SAYS CONSERVATIVE MEP

As the European Farm Commissioner announced 280 Million Euros in aid for dairy farmers, Conservative MEP Sir Robert Atkins said now was not the time to propose even greater subsidies to dairy farmers.

Speaking in Strasbourg he said,

“We recognise and sympathise with the plight of dairy farmers who have had to cope with very low prices in the past year. However, milk prices are showing signs of recovery and therefore now is not the time to propose even greater subsidies to dairy farmers.”

“This, in conjunction with the other measures that the Commission has proposed, increasing the state aid level to 15,000 Euros and technical changes to the management of the quota system, sends the wrong signal to dairy farmers as to the future of the CAP. This will make it even harder for dairy farmers to cope with the removal of quotas.

“Europe should be preparing for a quota free milk sector that can truly respond to the opportunities the global market provides, not caving in to protesters in the short term.”